The bill, S.B. No. 1139, aims to ensure the operability of elevators and related equipment in senior independent living communities following a power outage. It introduces a new section, 754.0142, to the Health and Safety Code, defining a "senior independent living community" as a multifamily residential facility for residents aged 55 and older. The bill mandates that these communities must contract with an outside vendor to maintain the operability of their equipment within 72 hours of a power outage.

Additionally, the bill establishes an administrative penalty for noncompliance, allowing the department to impose fines on communities that fail to meet the requirements. The penalties are structured to be $1,000 per day for the first five days of noncompliance and $5,000 per day for each subsequent day. This legislation is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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